Missile launcher and high velocity gun



Sept. 18, 1962 Filed Feb. 19, 1960 l4 I6 22 20 IO 2 l F. J. WILLIGMISSILE LAUNCHER AND HIGH VELOCITY GUN 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

FRANK J. WILLIG ATTORNEYS Sept. 18, 1962 F. J. WILLIG MISSILE LAUNCHERAND HIGH VELOCITY GUN 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 19, 1960 INVENTOR.FRANK J. WILLIG BY uz -4L0...

ATTORNEY United Patented Sept. 18, 1962 ire MISSILE LAUNfiJEfllR ANDHIGH VELOCITY GUN Frank J. Willig, Washington, D.C., assignor to theUnited States of America as represented by the Secretary of the AirForce Filed Feb. 19, 1960, Ser. No. 10,007 6 Claims. (Cl. 89-1) (Grantedunder Title 35, US. Gide (1952), see. 266) The invention describedherein may be manufactured and used by or for the United StatesGovernment for governmental purposes without payment to me of anyroyalty thereon.

The present invention relates to high velocity guns, and moreparticularly, to such guns firing projectiles to muzzle velocities inthe range of 3,000 to 20,000 feet per second.

In the design of long range missiles, an important objective is toprovide special structures and materials which will enable the missileor projectile to resist burning up on re-entering the earths atmosphereat high velocity. Experimental firing of small high velocity projectilesand missiles, and observations of their behavior in atmospheres ofvarying densities, are essential steps in the progress of missileresearch and comprise one of its major programs. The same general typeof experiment is also important in ballistics impact studies where it isof interest to observe the effects of high velocity impact upon both aprojectile and a target. The methods devised for firing smallprojectiles are also useful in other fields. For example, when strata ofoil and gas are present in layers above the actual depths to which acasing has been drilled, means are employed to perforate the casing atthis level to draw off whatever oil or gas is obtainable at this level.The present invention may be used for this purpose and for punchingholes in other objects located below the surface of the earth, or inother inaccessible places. In such instances, it is a requirement that avery high impact be obtained with apparatus of limited physical size.

'In each of the three situations above noted, i.e., firing of long rangemissiles, experimentations and research with regard to these missilesand the third situation where inaccessible objects, such as oil wellcasings, are punctured, a diflicul-ty is encountered in providing therequired velocities and the necessary acceleration to the projectile inthe very short distances that are permissible. Consequently, theprojectile or missile and even the gun, if it is built to be light andwieldly, is often shattered at the instant of explosion. Shattering ofthe projectile or missile destroys its experimental value and shatteringof the gun, of course, wastes the effect of the explosion and makes itsvelocity unobtainable.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a simplyconstructed and inexpensive gun or missile launch er for firing aprojectile to very high velocity without shattering the projectile orinjuring the gun.

It is a further object of the present invention to pro vide improvedapparatus for the study of re-entry velocities and to provide improvedapparatus for the study of high velocity ballistics impact.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide a ductile gunbarrel or missile tube which can expand or blow up like a balloonwithout rupturing under the impact of a high explosive charge,cushioning the shock and preventing injury to both the projectile ormissile and the firing apparatus itself.

Still another object of the invention is to provide not only a ductilegun barrel which expands but also to provide a device wherein anexplosive charge is positioned both inside the gun tube or gun barreland outside of it and surrounding it, and wherein an explosion isinitiated inside the gun barrel, expanding it, then travels to thesurrounding explosive charge, collapsing the tube, adding further impactwithin the tube and adding increased velocities to the projectile.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an apparatus forpunching holes in otherwise inaccessible objects such as oil wellcasings located below the surface of the earth.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the followingdescription, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, inwhich like reference characters refer to like parts in the severalfigures.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the loaded devicebefore firing.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are longitudinal cross sections of the device shown inFIG. 1 and showing two subsequent and consecutive stages of its firing.

FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a modification of theinvention, showing a multiple gun device for puncturing oil well casingsand the like.

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view in loaded condition andbefore firing, of another modification of the invention.

FIGS. 6 and 7 are longitudinal cross-sectional views of the apparatus ofFIG. 5 showing subsequent and consecutive stages of its fin'ng.

FIG. 8 is a longitudinal cross-section of a further modification.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, the numeral 10 refers to anelongated gun tube or barrel, or missile launching tube. As shown inFIGS. 1 to 3 inclusive this tube has a closed end 12. If circumstancespermit, however, and if the tube is of sufiicient length, as forexample, in certain recoilless weapons, both ends may be open. Aschematic showing of such a device is shown and will be described inconnection with FIG. 8. In FIG. 1, the tube or gun barrel 10 is made ofductile material such as lead. An explosive charge 14 is positionedwithin the tube. In FIG. 1, the charge 14 is shown positioned directlyadjacent the closed end 12. A detonator in is disposed in contact withthe explosive charge and instead of being placed at the rear of thecharge as is the usual practice it is placed at the interface, i.e., theside or face of the charge corresponding to the direction in which theprojectile is to be propelled, and at the face of the charge which liesin closest proximity to the projectile. A detonating lead 18 isconnected with the detonator 16 and is lead from a detonating deviceshown at 19 which is located outside of the gun tube and safely removedfrom it. A projectile 20 is disposed within the tube or gun barrel 10and is slidably fitted within it. It is positioned spaced away from thecharge so that a shock-absorbing chamber 22 is provided between thecharge 14 and the projectile 20. The chamber 22 is either left filledwith air, or a capsule of Styrofoam or comparable crushable material, isinserted therein for the purpose of supporting the projectile and thecharge, and retaining them in place during the interval before firing.

The apparatus may be operated without this spacing chamber. However, thespacing chamber provides greater flexibility in choosing otherparameters of the device, since this chamber contributes to lessening ofthe shock of the explosion, both on the projectile and on the firingdevice. The positioning of the detonator at the forward face of thecharge contributes to the same effect, because the explosion begins atthis point and the projectile is started moving before the charge hascompletely detonated, and before the full explosive force of it is feltby the projectile.

The above-description has been specific to FIG. 1 where the constructionof the device is shown with its elements in quiescent position and priorto explosion.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show the subsequent stages of firing of the device ofFIG. 1. In FIG. 2, the apparatus is shown just after the charge 14 hasbeen detonated. The forward portion of the charge is already explodingand the rearward portion is still quiescent. The tube or gun barrel hasbegun to bulge in the neighborhood of the explosion and the projectilehas already moved a short distance down the tube.

In FIG. 3, the apparatus is shown at the instant when the projectileemerges from the end of the tube, the instant when its muzzle velocityis acquired. It will be understood that the projectile is easilyslidable within the tube and that the ductile lead of the tubetenaciously retains its resistance to expansion. Consequently, after theprojectile has gotten its initial impulse, less force is required tokeep it accelerating than is required to bulge the tube. It has beenfound that the tube maintains its tubular shape at any given point untilafter the rearward end of the projectile has cleared that point.

A schematic showing of another form and use of the device is shown inFIG. 4. The device of FIG. 4 is a capsule or housing which may belowered into inaccessible tubular areas such as oil well casings locatedbelow the surface of the earth. In the oil well industry puncturing ofthe well casing is common practice when it is desired to tap off astratified reservoir of gas or oil that may exist at some point at lessdepth than that to which the well has been bored. In FIG. 4, the numeralrefers to a tubular casing or capsule of sufficient diameter to slidewithin an oil well casing or other similar structure. The capsule 30 isconstructed to provide for a plurality of radially disposed lead guntubes 32. The muzzle ends 34 of the tubes 32 terminate in the outercircumferential wall of the tubular capsule 30, forming open gun muzzleends therein. The breech ends 36 of the gun tubes 32 are joined so as toform a central chamber 38, which is filled with a charge 40 of highexplosive. The detonator 42 may be placed at the center of the charge asshown in FIG. 4 or it may be led in in a plurality of places at thebreech end of each gun. The projectiles 44 are so disposed within thetubes 32 that shock-absorbing spaces 46 are provided between theprojectiles 44 and the explosive charge located in the central chamber38. A capsule of Styrofoam or other material possessing suitablecharacteristics may be used in these spaces but the invention can bepracticed without their use. It will be noted that spaces 48 areprovided surrounding each gun tube, and that the gun tubes, made ofductile lead or other ductile material, expand under the influence ofthe explosion in the same manner described above in connection withFIGS. 1, 2 and 3.

In operation, this embodiment has achieved projectile velocities inexcess of 3,000 feet per second and up to several times the muzzlevelocity that is ordinarily obtained in military ordnance. At suchvelocities, a projectile generally burns up during extended travelthrough air. This condition, however, is precisely the result which itis desired to study in connection with re-entry of missiles. In theballistics impact studies and the oil Well punching, as described above,it is to be noted that the targets in both of these cases are placedcontiguous to the muzzle of the gun so that the target is reached andstruck before the projectile has time to burn up. The invention works toadvantage in this connection by providing the desired velocities in avery short accelerating distance before the projectile leaves the muzzleof the gun.

Another modification of the invention is shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7. Inthis embodiment, the projectile is given an additional forward impulseby a charge which is located exteriorly of the gun barrel so that thegun barrel first bulges with the initial impact of the beginning of theexplosion and collapses as the explosion reaches the exterior.

FIG. 5 shows this form of the invention in its quiescent position beforefiring. The projectile 50 is fitting within the breech end of a brassgun or missile tube 52.. A

cylindrical casing member 54, made of ductile lead or other ductilematerial, is open at both ends and is disposed coaxially with the tube52 sheathing it at its rearward end. A portion 56 of high explosivecharge is fitted within the cylindrical casing member 54. A portion 58of the charge is distributed around the outside of the ductile tube orcasing member 54 covering its end and forming uninterrupted continuitywith the charge 56. The explosive cap 58 extends forwardly, sheathingthe tube to a point which includes the shock-absorbing chamher 60 whichseparates the projectile 50 from the explosive charge 56. As desired, aStyrofoam capsule may or may not be used in the chamber 60. It will benoted that the section of the charge 58 which surrounds the tube 54 isalso spaced therefrom to provide expansion room therefor. This space 62in the general use of this invention is filled with Styrofoam forsupport purposes. The detonator 63 and lead 65 thereto are placed at theforward face of the charge 56. Thus, when the charge is fired, as shownin FIG. 6, the initial operation is similar to that described above inconnection with FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. That is, the explosion begins at theforward face of the charge and travels through contiguous portions. Thetube or casing 54 begins to expand in the initial explosion area and theprojectile 50 is started gently on its forward motion. As the explosionproceeds rearwardly through the charge 56, it follows a path asindicated by the arrows in FIG. 7 coming around to the exterior of theductile tube or casing 54 and thereafter proceeding in a forwarddirection. During the initial explosive impact, the projectile travels adistance down the tube and gains all of the velocity obtainable fromthis stage of the .explosion. There now comes a time when the outsideportion of the charge is detonated crushing in the ductile tube andgiving a further boost of impulsion to the projectile.

With this device, muzzle velocities of the order of 10,000 or more feetper second have been obtained and velocities up to 25,000 feet persecond appear obtainable.

In the device of FIG. 8, the tube 10, the charge 14, detonator 16, leadin 18, firing device 19' and projectile 20 have the same mode ofoperation described as their corresponding parts described in connectionwith FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. Where circumstances permit a longer length oftube, a recoilless device may be achieved by leaving the ends of thetube open. In all other respects the mode of construction and operationof the device of FIG. 8, including a Styrofoam capsule, may beunderstood by applying the description of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3.

While the invention is shown and described in connection with severalforms for illustrative, rather than restrictive purposes, it is obviousthat changes and modifications may be made by those skilled in the artwithout departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as definedin the accompanying claims.

I claim:

1. A high velocity missile launcher comprising a ductile, deformable andexpansible tube, a missile to be launched located in said ductile tube,a high explosive charge placed within said tube, rearwardly of saidmissile and spaced therefrom to form a shock-absorbing chamber, adetonator placed contiguous to said high explosive charge and at theforward end thereof, a high explosive charge located exteriorly of saidductile tube covering the rearward end thereof, communicating with theexplosive charge within the tube and enclosing said ductile tube inspaced relation thereto through a portion of its length, said enclosedportion including said shock absorbing chamber, whereby said ductiletube will undergo expansion and ballooning during the stage of explosiontherewithin, and compression during the interval of explosion outside ofsaid tube.

2. A device for imparting in consecutive stages high velocity to aprojectile, said device comprising a gun barrel, a cylindrical casingmember surrounding said gun barrel at its rear end, said cylindricalmember being expandable beyond its elastic limit and thereforexpendable, means located within said gun barrel for simultaneouslyimparting an initial velocity to said projectile and expanding andballooning said cylindrical casing in the area to the rear of theprojectile at any given instant, said means comprising an explosivecharge located within said gun barrel, and means for imparting anadditional impulse to said projectile, said last-named means comprisingan explosive charge located exteriorly of both said gun barrel and saidcylindrical casing member, and having continuity with said first-namedexplosive charge, means for starting a progressive explosion from theforward face of said first-named charge and traveling rearwardlyprogressively into said exteriorly located explosive charge so that saidcylindrical casing member is first expanded under the influence of theinitial stage of the explosion Within said tube, and then collapsedunder the impact of the explosion taking place exteriorly of saidcylindrical member, the collapse of said cylindrical member giving anadded impulse and a final velocity to said projectile.

3. A device for imparting high velocity to a projectile, said devicecomprising an imperforate expandable and expendable gun barrel, meansfor imparting forward motion to a projectile placed within said gunbarrel and simultaneously expanding said gun barrel in the area to therear of the location of the projectile at any given instant of itstravel, the expansion being of such dimension as to produce ballooningof said gun barrel, said means comprising an explosion charge located tothe rear of the projectile, a shock-absorbant chamber located betweensaid projectile and said explosive charge, and a capsule of crushablesubstance located within said shock-absorbant chamber.

4. A device for imparting high velocity to a projectile, said devicecomprising an imperforate expansible deformable and expendable gunbarrel, means within said gun barrel for imparting initial motion to aprojectile placed within said gun barrel and simultaneously expandingsaid gun barrel in the area to the rear of the location of theprojectile at any given instant, the expansion being of such dimensionsas to produce ballooning of said gun barrel, said means comprising anexplosive charge located in said gun barrel to the rear of saidprojectile and spaced therefrom, means for igniting said explosivecharge, said last name means being located at the interface of saidexplosive charge and in closest proximity to the said projectile.

5. A device for imparting high velocity to a projectile,

said device comprising an imperforate ductile gun barrel, means withinsaid gun barrel for imparting initial motion and subsequent accelerationto .a projectile placed within said gun barrel and simultaneouslyexpanding and ballooning said ductile gun barrel beyond its elasticlimit in the area to the rear of the location of the projectile at anygiven instant, said means comprising an initial explosion at theinterface of an explosive charge located within said gun barrel and tothe rear of said projectile, said explosion traveling rearwardly throughsaid explosive charge, thereby imparting added impetus and velocity tosaid projectile.

6. A high velocity missile launcher comprising a gun barrel, a missilelocated in said gun barrel and slidable therein, a cylindrical openended member axially positioned with reference to said gun barrel andencasing the rearward end thereof, said cylindrical member beingexpendable and capable of expanding beyond its elastic limit withoutrupture, a high explosive charge disposed in said cylindrical member,said charge having a capshaped extension extending rearwardly to coverthe rearward end of said cylindrical member and enclose the exteriorarea of said cylindrical member throughout its entire extent, adetonator placed contiguous to said high explosive charge and at theforward end thereof, whereby an initial explosion of said high explosivecharge propels said missile forwardly in said gun barrel and expandssaid cylindrical member, and whereby the explosion travels rearwardly toand throughout said cap-shaped high explosive, collapsing saidcylindrical member and imparting impetus and increased velocity to saidmissile.

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